Cryptonomicon

Rating:
Summary: slow start, but definitely a good story.
Review: I have read the 2 previous Stephenson books and I think that this one keeps up the trend of excellent storytelling. There is a lot of fun parts to the story and while I found most of the technical info interesting, it was a bit too much like reading a beginners instruction manual to the particular technology in question. The book has a larger scope than simple treasure hunting, which impressed me as well. The whole "HEAP" anti-genocide internet site idea is a great concept if eveyone on the planet had access to uncensored computers. I look forward to reading the next book by this author as they really draw you into the story and make you think.

Rating:
Summary: A very bold move
Review: First, let's give Neal Stephenson credit for thinking of something that nobody else had - The "Pre-cyber punk" novel. Instead of looking to the future of computers, Neal went back to WWII (to the first digital computer & the first hackers - cryptologists). Cryptonomicon jumps back-and-forth, from chapter-to-chapter, between WWII & the present creating two, intertwined, books that maybe should've been left as just one (The WWII story is, by far, the more interesting.). Secondly, let's give the Author credit for having the guts to write a wild, lively, book. Call Cryptonomicon what you want want (It does have some faults - 80 year old Business men tramping thru the jungle, for example), but don't call it dull.

Rating:
Summary: a couple of dimensions beyond cyberpunk
Review: okay, I admit, I was a bit put off by the reviews on this book until another genre author convinced me to get it. Still, the book just sat there for two weeks as I eyed it nervously, afraid to actually crack it and begin to be disappointed. Finally, desparately searching for something new to read I reluctantly picked up Cryptonomicom and immediately began to hate Neal Stephenson for being too smart. Still, I read on, and on, and on, and very reluctantly concede that this is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. And I've read some pretty amazing books in my life. Despite the complexity of this book, Stephenson limits his characters to a reasonable number; he is not his best at characterization, but still, the people are fleshed out well enough to be perfectly believeable and their actions coincide with their personalities. I've read far too many books which are so overloaded with characters that the reader has to write them all down with little bios of each one in order to keep track. Don't worry about this in Cryptonomicon; the characters are few but the information is abundant.I'm at the end of my space now, so all I can add is: just read the book. You won't be disap

Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Story
Review: I approached this with some doubts. Having enjoyed Snowcrash and The Diamond Age, I did not expect something this ambitious. It worked wonderfully at all levels for me. The constant flip from past to present was handled well and the whole volume was hugely entertaining. Another triumph. If you have not read it, go and buy it now !

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I was skeptical to read this book for two reasons: size, too many technological words in Diamond Age (his last book). Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. Somehow I polished it off in a week.

It is well worth getting through it. A friend mentioned that he couldn't get past the 250 page mark. I urge you to read on. Once the story comes together it is amazing.

Rating:
Summary: For the reader who came in from the code
Review: A truly interesting, informative, comical, entertaining, irreverent reading experience. It makes you want to congregate with others who have read the book to chortle over the various hilarious episodes. I never thought mathematics could be so much fun; Stephenson does a marvelous job explaining the German's Enigma machine, and cryptography in general.

The only flaw is the presentation of women characters. Or maybe amid the absurd and improbable situations, the author drew the women to match. No depth to any of them, and trite; the mother, the virgin, the temptress, etc. Not a single one would pass a Turing test.

Rating:
Summary: An intelligent thriller
Review: Much smarter and wittier than the average adventure novel, although I don't feel that it quite lives up to the rave reviews, which led me to expect something like a combination of Douglas Hofstadter and William Gibson. Even as I reached the last few pages, I hoped that the ending would be more... cerebral, or metaphysical, or something a little less obvious or conventional. I was somewhat disapointed that the goal or objective that absorbed the characters throughout this 900 page novel was, in the end, pretty mundane. Oh, well. It was still very difficult to put down, and I devoured the entire book almost all at once (with only a couple of brief breaks to get some sleep).

Altogether a pretty good read, although not really interesting enough to make me want the sequel or sequels (according to the book flap, this is the first book of a series).

Rating:
Summary: Very, very, very long
Review: Excellent, like all his books. I really wish it had a better ending -- there were a lot of little strings that didn't quite get tied up, but at least he got the major strings, which is definitely an accomplishment.

The most interesting thing about this book is that the central concept is coming true...or perhaps it's just *going* to come true. Whatever happens, it'll change the world.

Worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: How to spend your summer vacation.
Review: Cryptonomicon's compelling mix of history (World War II), developing and current technology, real and imaginary characters, and cryptography made for a very enjoyable read. Though packed with science and technology the text is always accessible to the neophyte as well as the more technically inclined. (From both a historical and cryptographic standpoint it helps if you have also read Simon Singh's excellent The Code Book.)

At over nine-hundred pages the length may deter some who are normally prone to tackle lesser efforts, but it is a worthwhile read and you will not get bored as the narrative ping-pongs back and forth between time and perspective. If you happen to have a copy in hand, and are undecided, read the brief chapter "Yamamoto" beginning on page 334, and you will be hooked.

Shortcomings were few. One was the author's endless use of analogies, which tend to become tedious until you learn to ignore the quantity and judge them solely on their cleverness. Many work well, some do not. On a couple of occasions the use of coincidence can be overwhelming, and may challenge the suspension of disbelief. I would like to give an example or two, but by doing so may jeopardize some of the narrative. You will recognize them when they occur.

Finally, for a book that develops carefully and paces itself to match that approach, the ending comes too suddenly and quickly. Readers may find themselves puzzled at the quick and dirty wrap-up. It is as though the author needs to get this to his publisher NOW! and submits to the impulse.

On the plus side the story stays coherent and mysterious throughout and humor is used to great effect. This book is thoroughly recommended and will make for a good beach read.

Rating:
Summary: I hope his other books are better.
Review: Friends keep after me to read something of Neal Stephenson's. So I tried-- really, I did. Give a science fiction writer a unix manual and a link to a basic webpage on cryptography and you'll get this bloated, 900 page bomb.

If you are interested in cryptography, get a textbook. Most of them are more clearly written, less smarmy, and more entertaining.

If you like science fiction, you can get a better story elsewhere that won't make you wade through chapters of bland, irrelevant material.

This quasi-hyperrealistic approach should be left to better authors... This book has drained all desire from me to read other instances of the author's work.